When the bladder Gets Weak
What exactly is bladder weakness?
Bladder weakness is also referred to as Incontinence in medical terms. This is the involuntary loss of urine. This usually represents a hygienic or social problem to the individual.
How common is it?
- Bladder weakness affects 7 per cent of the world’s population. This translates to over 2 million Kenyans.
- 40 per cent of women have experienced bladder weakness in connection to pregnancy and childbirth
- 25 per cent of women 35+ have experienced bladder weakness problems
- 15 per cent of women 40+ have regular or daily bladder weakness problems
- It is more common in women than in men
What increases chances of a weak bladder?
- Age – the older one grows
- Pregnancy, number of children and poor birth procedures
- Obesity and body mass
- Hormones
- Diabetes
- UTI (Urinary Tract Infections)
- Natural physical inability
- Mental impairment
- Depression
- Menopause
- Physical injuries
- Smoking, coughing and chronic lounge diseases
How does it affect one’s lifestyle?
It can cause: .
- Depression, isolation and feelings of embarrassment.
- Misunderstandings on marital/sexual relationships due to leaking during intercourse.
- Increased dependence on caregivers
- Discomfort and skin irritation
- Low self-esteem, feelings of unclean Inability to do every day activities-even housework
- Limitations of social activities
People with bladder weakness will have comments like:
- ‘It affects my drinking habits.’
- ‘It often interrupts what I’m doing as I have to go to the wash room.’
- ‘I’m not as independent as I was before.’
- ‘It affects my sleep; I often wake up to go to the wash room.’
How can one go about a weak bladder?
- Get medical help.
- Get counsel from health-care workers
- Understand that it is not a taboo.
- Use available purpose-made products to counter the challenge.
- Enlighten the public about urinal incontinence
END: PG 31 /44-45